Fee relief for Fraser Coast farmers

INUNDATED: Cr James Hanson is one of many Fraser Coast graziers hit hard by the recent floods.Contributed

FRASER Coast farmers reeling from ex-tropical cyclone Oswald have received good news from the State Government.

The Fraser Coast was one of five regions which will receive fee relief for primary producers and businesses impacted by the recent floods to help with recovery.

The other regions are Bundaberg, Gympie, the Lockyer Valley and the North Burnett.

This will be welcomed by all types of farmers and graziers in the flood-hit region.

Primary production and rural infrastructure portfolio councillor James Hansen said that plenty of infrastructure, irrigation and farming equipment had been wiped out, along with the loss of land and crops.

"With the grazing industry, probably one of the biggest problems was the loss of fences.

"I would estimate anywhere up to 1000km of fencing has been lost," Cr Hansen said.

He said that the dairy and sugar industries in the region had also suffered serious damage.

With this in mind, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh announced a temporary extension on payment of some fees and charges from primary producers

"Producers in areas who are declared eligible under Category C of the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) will qualify for fee relief," Mr McVeigh said

Last week, Mr McVeigh also announced that concessional loans for primary producers and small businesses were now being made available at a record low interest rate of just 1.7%.

"Reducing the cost of debt will go a long way toward assisting producers and small business owners get back on their feet and restore their operations after the floods," he said.

For more information on which fees may be deferred, visit daff.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

For more information on the low interest rate for loans for primary producers, visit qraa.qld.gov.au.